Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-18

at once brought and he seated, and mine
being 8 yhysic. and not mental COM
plaint, he examined me very closely as
u my trouble, the cause and commence
ment, the feelings that l now had, aud
especially as to the manner OF treatment |
had already undergone, snd when he
waS through he expressed himself a5 not
alarmed, that he would put me under 8
course Of medical treatmsnt that ne
thought would be satisfactory, and with
8 pleasant wish for nv restoration ne
passed on. At about this time another
call was made by en- attendant: This
way, boys come and get your medicine, "
and large majority at once stepped for
ward to receive it. In about the course
CT half 81 hour the attendant who is in
charge CT the dining room stepped to the
door in front Of said room snd in 8 loud
voice called the word dinner" and no
time IVES lost by the patients in getting
there, being one Of the number, and I
assure you it was with s particular feel
ing Of anxiety that l entered the dining
room for the first time, my idea being
(the same as | believe to he the common
one that | would fad tables surrounded
by chairs, that opposite esch clair would
be q plate containing an allowance of
food for each patient and tin cup to
drink water out of. Therefore If you csn
imagine my Amusement when l saw three
tables covered with clean linen covers,
the steel ware and crCCkery in fine condi-
ton, the large glass goblet to drink your
milk or water, according to your prefer
ence, and, note, please, the food not
dished cut to the patients in certain
quantities; no, the different varieties OF
meat, vegetables, pies or puGding5 stood
standing in large dishes in the center OF
the table so that eaCn and every patient
could assist himself to the articles he
preferred. Such was my experience al
the public table for eighteen months, the
authorities making d special point that
vegetables should be one Of the leading
articles of diet.
Now we come TO the afternoon, which
IS similar 10 the morning, the patients
having to go TO the play grounds when the
weather is favorable. But l am occupy
ing too much space aud time IN
giWlg my experience. l viii
simply state IN q pIsin manner
that there were three attendants ia the
ward. Medicines were issued three
times day. Three meals were served
regularly on time. The rooms and hall
way had to be swept and mopped with
wster rs often IS necessary, the hallway
never less than twice.
Two visits were made by the Doctors
per diem, one by DR.. Wallace and one by
Dr.. +. S. White, the assistant physician
Once each week every patient had to take
q bath snd 8 shave, Of.ener if necessary
n wit 30 oYI
end beautiful chapel, wherein, during the
cool months, every Friday night pleas.
ant dance WAS had, and during the warm
months something in the form Of q con
cert was given. Divine service WAS helc
on the Sabbath afternoon when a pastor
could be secured.
The working 5nd management CT tht
ward being OF al established system, the
superintendent making special efforts by
his own particular example Of trying tc
teach the attendants the word patience
and kind treatment. Now, after | haC
been at the asylum two months in this
same ward, receiving treatment and sub
ject to the above mentioned rules, strange
to say, but it is fact, | did not have the
slightest Sickness, and | decided | would
speak with the superintendent in regard
to my gong home. did so. His answer
was yes, you can GO, but viii not give
you discharge, | VIII grant vCu g leave
Of abserce Tor thirty days, and if at the enc
OF that time, you have had no relapse |
will then furnish you wilma discharge g}u
remember you must keep under the same
treatment and should you have relapse
return a. CEce TO the asylum. Ii
obedience thereto after wishing til!
officials and others g goodbye
returned to my home in the east
Upon my arrival home my friend.
rejOiced to see me. | at once went Il
my customary work and for four weeks
worked hard, but sad to relate on the
twenty-eighth day did have q relapse,
but did not hesitate, st once went K
my employe and notified him, that I mus
leave in the morning for the asylum. N,
friends requested me not tC
do so, to wait further Developments, bu
my answer WIS, no, l shall start in TIT
morning. And as travelled en- route in
return, admit that my feelings were fa
from pleasant, owing to the parting will
my friends, but l coolly smoked my cigsr
l needed no sheriff, nor did | dread thu
asylum, and why? Simply for the rea
son that l knew where l was gong,
knew l should be received and treated
kindly. And l would here state tina
many q broken hearted father and mothers
husband and wife would not suffer tbs
grief and misery they now endure had
they the slightest knowledge of the trest
ment OF their relatives and friends at the
institution.
[ arrived at the asylum in due time,
repaired to the superintendent who ex.
pressed his sorrow 81 my return. l va
placed on the second ward, things wer,
ia about the same condition as when
lef., with the exception of great improve.
ments in the line of amusements, g lint
handsome billiard table Wss erected, TIT
object OF the Officials being, evidently K
try TO direct the thoughts OF the unfortu-
mates from breeding over their past trou
bles, and to try to instiII into them al
ambition for recovery Of hesIth so tina
they might return 10 their former fields Q
labor and renew their position il society
And l am happy to state thu
l, owing to the wonderful ebil
ity Of the doctor was considered
cured and discharged st the close Of
period Of fifteen months, and am one
more among my friends at home.
! Now, Mr.. Editor, in closing, when tn
foregoing was written the idea OF publ
cation had not been thought Of, but OWN!
to an insane story l read in the press,
decided would forward these my expert
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